Derrick Gordon first Openly Gay D1 Basketball Player

A guard at University of Massachusetts, Derrick Gordon is following in the footsteps of Brooklyn Nets center Jason Collins, announcing in two articles on ESPN and OutSports that he is gay. Following his announcement, Gordon becomes Division I basketball’s first openly gay player. According to ESPNW, Gordon told his parents and coach Darryl Kellogg. Gordon later told his teammates on April 2, accompanied by former NFL player and (You Can Play advocate) Wade Davis and high school basketball coach Anthony Nicodemo. Gordon averaged 9.4 points and 3.5 rebound for the sixth-seeded Minutemen.

From Plainfield, NJ, 25 miles west of Manhattan, Derrick Gordon was a standout at basketball superpower St. Patrick High School, where he played with the likes of future No. 1 NBA Draft pick and current Cleveland Cavaliers guard, Kyrie Irving. His senior year with the St. Patrick Celtics was special. They were ranked No. 1 in the country for much of the season, with Gordon the No. 2 man behind Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the second pick in the NBA Draft a year later. That season, which ended in a loss to the nation’s No. 2 team, St. Anthony, was documented in the HBO film, Prayer for a Perfect Season.

“I can finally breathe now and live life happily. I told all the people I need to tell,” Gordon said. On Instagram, following the posting of the stories, Gordon shared this: “This is the happiest I have ever been in my 22 Years of living…No more HIDING!!!…Just want to live life happy and play the sport that I love…Really would love to thank my family, friends, coaches, and teammates for supporting me….I would also like to thank my support team Wade Davis, Jason Collins, Brian Sims, Micah Porter, Anthony Nicodemo, Patrick Burke,Billy Bean, Gerald McCullough, Kirk Walker…You guys are AWESOME!!! Ready to get back in the gym with my teammates and get on the GRIND and get ready for next season!!!! #BETRUE #BEYOURSELF #HONEYBADGER”